Meter test-block.



R 8. WHITE. METER TEST BLOCK APPLICATION FILED APR. I0. I914.

Patented Nov. 28, 1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I.

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METER TEST BLOCK.

APPLICATION FILED APR. w. 1914.

1,206,393. 4 Patented Nov. 28, 1916.

- 3 8HEETSSHEET 2.

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METER TEST BLOCK.

APPLT'CATION FILED APRfzo. 1914.

Patented Nov. 28, 1916.

3 SHEETS SHEET 3.

ROGER SIWHIT E, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

METER TEST-BLOQK.

1 Too whom it may concern: Be it known that I, Room S. WHrrE, a

citizen of the United States, residing at Washington, in the District of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Meter Test-Blocks, of which thefollowing is a specification.

In making tests of the larger sizes of electric meters on the consumers 'iremises a greater portion of the time required is ordinarily taken up in getting the meter ready for the test, 2'. e., in attaching fjumpers or temporary flexible wires as by-paths for the I current, so as not to interrupt the supply to the "consumer, and also in disconnecting the meterfrom'the circuit, and in restoring the normal connections after the test.

The heavy wires require watchful care in handl1ng,' espec1ally as metal service or contact boxes, or conduits, or gas, water, or steam pipes'are often close at hand, and an unintentional movement on the part of the tester,- such as might result from a slip or accidental. shock, would cause a short circuit.

and perhaps considerable damage. As,

-'ordin'arily, the large meters are tested more frequently than the smaller ones, this processhas to he often repeated, and much of the" meter testers time is thus taken up which might better be used .in the skilled work. of testing the meter. .Again in testing the largerdirect current meters, it becomes more difficult to secure a reliable test if the meter wiresarc temporarily changed in position in disconnecting the meter for the test, particularly if the .jumpers carry a heavy consumers load, at the time, for the reason that the true operating magnetic field of the meter is disturbed and distorted under these abnormal conditions. Moreover, even' different meter testers may get strikingly different results, especially on light load tests, in testing the same meter, due-to the" mann'er in which the meter is jumped andthe different positions of the jumpers, and perhaps also to the variation of the consumers load carried by the jumpers duringthe different tests. ()ne object of my invention is to provide aineter test block adapted for use in conncctiou with meters of the larger sizes, and which will enable the operator to quickly and safely make the necessary connections without disturbing the meter wires, and which will insure acpilracy m the test.

Another object of'the invention is to pro Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 28,1916.

Application filed April 10, 1914. Serial No. 830,976.

vide a reliable test block for meters of large' size that will be simple in construction and that can be economically manufactured, since the adoption of a test block for large meters by a central station necessitates an bridge pieces applied .to short. circuit the" meter fields; Fig. 3 is a similarview of the block showing the fields shm'tcircuite(l and the switch members adjusted to disconnect one held and one side of the other field of themetcr; Fig. 4 is a similar view of the block as arranged for test. the fields being connected in series by a jumper and the live terminals. connected to one side of the supply system. being covered by an insulated housing; Fig. 5 is a front elevation of the, testblock with the parts arranged as in Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is a section on the line66 of Fig. 2: Fig. 7 is a section on the line 7-7 of Fig. 4; and. Fig. 8 is a section on the line 8-8 of Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawing. A indicates a base, of insulating material, having upwardly projecting end walls It and intermediate partitions a. Channels 1, 2, 3, are thus formed on the block, and the terminals connected with the positive, neutral, and negative field wires are placed in these channels and separated by the partitions. Threaded rods or studs, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11, extend upwardly through the base, and each rod is secured firmly in upright position by lock nuts 12, as shown in Figs. 6' and 7. Upon the several studs referred to are mounted terminals blocks 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20, which, as shown, are alike in form. Each terminal block has 1 a longitudinal beret (Fig. 5),to receive a 'Upon the upper ends of the studs are clamping nuts 43* to 11, inclusive. Flat 7 l7, and thence to negative connecting bais 21, 22, 23,'and 24 are arranged between the clamping nuts and the terminals. These connectin bars or switches, as shown best in Figs. 3 and 4, are in the form of latches, each having one end perforated and pivoted on one of the studs, and having a transverse notch a near its other end adapted to engage an ad)acent stud. Thus, in the' normal position;( of the connectors, shown in Fig. 1, the con) ncctor 21 is pivoted on the stud 4 and its notched end engages the stud 5, and similarly, the connectors 22, 23, and 24, are pivoted upon the studs 7, 8, and 11, respectively, and en ige the studs 6, 9, and 10, respectively. he clamping nuts hold the connectors firmly against the terminals and clamp the latter against the lock nuts on the studs. It will be noted that the terminals are sup orted at some distance from the base, and thus ample room is allowed for circulation of air around the terminals, which prevents heating. It will also be noted that each terminal is supported by a single stud, and that, owing to its pivoted connection with the stud, the terminal can be adjusted slightly about its pivotal point, which is desirable, owin to the fact that heavy wires or cables, w ich are not easily beat, are fitted to the terminals, in practice.

Referring tothe circuit diagram, Fig. 1, the positive supply wire is shown connected to the supply terminal 13, and the negative supply wire 26 is connected to the supply terminal 17, while the neutral wire 27 is connected to a terminal block 28, secured to the base in the channel 2. When the meter is in operation, the circuits are as follows: from the supply wire 25, through supply terminal 13 and connector 21 to meter terminal 14, thence through conductor 28 and meter field 29 to meter terminal 15; thence through connector 22 and house terminal 16 to house wire 30, thence returning through house wire 31 to house terminal 20, thence through connector 24, meter field terminal 19, conductor 32, and meter field coil 33 to meter field terminal 18; thence through connector 23 to suppl terminal supply wire 26. The armature circuit of the meter proceeds from supply wire 25 and terminal 13, through conductor 34 to the armature 35 of the meter, and thence through conductor 36 to the armature terminal 28, which is connected by conductor 37 to the neutral wire 27 of the supply circuit. It will be evident that when the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 1,the meter will be op-- eratively connected between the supply and house wires.

The first step in preparing the meter for test, is to short circuit the meter fields, as

' illustrated in Fig. 2, and for this purpose mounted insulated clamping member.

and the field coil two detachable bridge pieces 38 and 33 are provided. The former is shown in Fig. 2 connecting the feed terminal 13 with the house terminal 16 and short circuitin the field windin 29, and the latter is siown connecting t a feed terminal 17 with the house terminal 20 and short circuiting the field coil These bridge pieces consist of flat metal bars which may be conveniently carried by the meter tester and ap lied when the test is to be made. In ordiar to clamp the bridge pieces firmly against the terminals, wit out straining the terminals or their supporting bolts, clamping plates or members 44) and 41, of insulating material, alike in construction, are arranged beneath the terminals. The clamping member 40, as shown in Fig. 8, is provided with openin 40 which, in assembling the block, W] I pass over the studs 4 and 7., and the lock nuts thereon, and thusv the clamping member becomes loose] held in place upon the block. The men r 41 is perforated in a similar manner and held in place by the studs 11 and 9. Secured to the member 40, midway between the terminals 13 and 16, is an upright clamping bolt or stud 42 which extends throu h an opening 38' in the bridge piece 38' w en the latter is placed upon the terminals. A clampin nut 43 is provided, and by means of this nut, after the bridge piece 38 has been placed in position, the insulated clamping member 40 may be drawn u again: the under sides of the terminals 1 and 16, and .the bridge piece firmly clamped a inst the terminals to make good electrica contacts, This firm contact is secured without exerting any pressure upon the supporting bolts 4 and 7, or in any way draining the connections between the bolts and the terminals. as might happen if the studs 42 were fixed to the base instead of to the loo arellly a clamping member 41 is also provided with a vertical threaded stud 44, midwa between I the terminals 17 and 20, and t e bri piece 39 is clamped a inst said termina s in the same way as t e bridge piece 38 is clamped against its terminals.

The second step in preparin themoter for test is to disconnect the fiel and this is accomplished with the teat block of my invention, as shown .in Fi 3, by swinging the connectors 22, 23, and 4 inwardly awa from their normal positions so as to ban the connections between the house and field terminals and between one side of the supply circuit and one of the field terminals. Thus, it, will be evident, that when the connectors 22, 23, and 24, are swung inward away from their normal tions, one end of the field wi'litlllimll be. disconnected from the house wire 80 and 33 will be entirely diacolinected from the supply wire 26 and the housewire 31.

The third step in preparing the meter for test, is to connect the meter field coils in series, and i'orv this purpose a jumper or bridge piece if) is provided. This bridge piece, as shown, is bent so that itsends may lie flatly against the terminals 15 and 19, while its central portion extends over the partitions 1/. This bridge piece is provided with lateral notches n, so that it may he slid edgewise under the clamping nuts on the studs 3 and 10, after the latches 22 and 2i have been swung to one side. It will be evident that when the bridge piece is in place and clampeda-gainst the terminals, the fields 29 and 33 will be in series, and the meter is then ready for testing.

After disconnecting the fields, and before applying the bridge piece 45, as a means for insuring against accidental short circuits,'I provide a detachable housing of insulating material 4-6, which fits over one of the supply terminalsand the parts electrically connected therewith so that connection cannot be made between the positive and negative supply terminals by accidental dropping or movement of the connecting piece 45. This housing, as shown, consists of two plates of insulating aterial 46' and 46 secured together'at right angles and of such length as to fit neatlyibetween the walls of the channel 3 on the base, the vertical portion 46" of the housing being adapted 'to extend; downwardly between the meter field terminals 18 and 19, and the feed terminal 17 and house terminal 20, so as to separate the latter terminals from the field terminals. The top of the housing has an opening 46 through which the stud 44, and the clamping nut thereon extend when the housing is m position 1 firmly in its position, a knob 47 of insulat' material is provided and adapted to three on tothe stud 45 and press the top of the,

that ii: carelessly dropped, it could not con: nect this terminal with any of the termindls.

or parts in the channel 1, which parts all usually remain connected to one side of the supply circuit, since there is no necessity for disconnecting both ends of the field 29.

'lh'e construction of the test block and the operation of making the connections to test the meter will be clear from the foregoing description, and it will be understood the base. To hold the housing" that after the test, the parts will be restored to their normal positions by reversing the 7 'then removing the short circuiting bars or bridge pieces 38 and 3!). The detachable parts 38--39 and 45l6 will be carried as a part of the meter testers kit, to be applied to any similar test block when a test is to be made. For convenience in connecting the test meter to the test block, the connecting members 21 and 23 are perforated as shown at so that the leads from the test meter may be hooked into these openings.

What I claim is:

1. In a meter test bloclqa suitable base, a pluralit of studs secured-to and projectin there .rom, and supply, house, and meter terminals, each supported on one of said studsand spaced away from the base.

2. In a meter, test block, a suitable base, a plurality of studs secured to and projecting therefrom, supply, house andmeter terminals each mounted separately on one of said ,studs and spaced away from the base, connectingbars each adapted to engage two adjacent studs and to rest against the terminals thereon, and means on the studs for clampi the connecting bars against the termma s.

3. In a meter test block, a base, a supply terminal thereon, a house terminal adjacent said supply terminal, an insulated clampin member loosely connected with the bloc and arranged at one side ofsaid terminals,-.

a stud secured to said member and projecting outwardly between the terminals,- a metal bridge )iece adapted to rest on the opposite sides 0 said terminals and perforated to readapted to engage the outer sides of adjacent supply and house terminals and hav ing a central'opening tc receive the stud,

and means on the studs for clamping said members and bridge pieces against the ter' minals.

5. In a meter test block. a suitable base, supply, house and field terminals thereon, means for short-circuiting the meter fields; means for making and breaking the connections between the field terminals and the supply and house terminals, a housing adapted to cover the supply and house tel" minals connected with one side of the line, and ha'ving an opening to receive said stud, 1 and means for connecting the fields in series. and means-on the stud for locking the hous- 6; In a-meter test block, a suitable base in t0 the base.

supply terminals thereon, a house terminal n testimony whereof I have aflixed my adjacent each supply terminal, an insulated signature, in presence of tivo witnesses. clamping member beneath one Simply ter- ROGER S. WHITE. minul and its adjacent house terminal, a Witnesses:

stud projecting from said member hous- Ronmrr Wxrsox,

' ing iidapted to cover the latt'ertm innls C. VAX SAr 'r. 

